Hatfield had a good showing in the squat, forgoing his final lift to finish with 325 kilograms (about 716 ½ pounds) after his second lift in the Master's Men's 50-54 age group, 100 kilo (220.46 lb.) classification. He'd also gotten his opening bench press. A misunderstanding of his second lift request, though, left Hatfield attempting over 22 pounds more than he really wanted on his second bench. However, after missing it on that second attempt, Hatfield powered through it on his third and successfully pushed 242.5 kg. (534.62 lbs.) for an all-time Personal Record in the bench press.
"I must have pushed it for a good 10 seconds before I locked it out," said Hatfield, who is also an assistant softball coach with the Golden Tigers.
The judges rewarded that tenacity with three white lights, indicating a good lift.
Hatfield then pulled over 529 pounds on the deadlift; but fell a bit shy of his goal of 270 kilos (595.24 lbs.)on the lift in his final two lifts. Hatfield finished with a total of 807.5 kilograms (over 1,780 lbs.) taking the top spot in his class and scoring a valuable first place for Team USA in the full-power (squat, bench press, deadlift) competition. Back on Thursday, Team USA's Bench Press team won the World Championship in the bench-only division.
Bryan Beanland of New Bloomfield, Missouri took home the Men's Open Best Lifter Plaque for Team USA in the lighter weight categories, after totaling 880 kg. (over 1,940 lbs.) to win the 90 kilogram (198.41lb.) class. The Master's Men's BL Award went to Ernesto Milian of Timber Pines, Florida, lifting in the 60-64, 56 kg. (123.46 lb. class). Milian totaled 437.5 kg. (over 964 ½ lbs.)
Georgia IronDawg Mark Driggers of Eastman, Georgia took the top spot in the MM 40-44, 90 kilo class with his total of 822.5 kg. (1,813.28 lbs.); while team USA's Steve Kylis of Venice, Florida, less than a week shy of his 60th birthday, totaled 672.5 kg. (1,482.59 lbs.) to win the MM 90 kilo, 55-59 category, setting an age group World Record of 242.5 kilos (534.62 lbs.) in the deadlift along the way.
The dean of Team USA, L.B. Baker of Bogart, Georgia in the MM 70-74, 100 kilo class, set classification World Records in the bench (105 kg./231.48 lbs.); and deadlift (160 kg./352.74 lbs.) on his way to a total of 415 kilos (914.91 lbs.) Two days after finishing third in his class on the bench-press day, IronDawg Andy Williamson of Winterville, Georgia wound up second in the MM 45-49 100 kg. full-power class with a total of 625 kilos (1,377.86 lbs.) With a bench of 200 kg. (440.92 lbs.), Williamson actually beat his best bench from Thursday during the Saturday competition.
On Friday, Team USA got big firsts from Junior Men's Best Lifter Paul Smith of Vincennes, Indiana in the 20-23, 75 kg. (165.35 lb.) category (total 682.5 kg./1,504.64 lbs.); as well as from Master's Women's BL Michelle Moodie of Wadewood, Illinois in the MW 40-44, 67.5 kg. (148.81 lb.) class with a total of 457.5 kg. (1,008.6 lbs.)
The meet concludes Sunday at the Clarion Hotel in Jonesboro with the 110-140+ kilo (242 ½-308.64 lbs) classes for Open and Master Men. IronDawg Rob Paden of Lula is scheduled to lift. The team award for full-power will also be awarded Sunday.
Gary Hatfield
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/9/242210